Feeling sick and seedy the morning after a big night out can be a rough ending to an enjoyable event. Here are our top tips on how to reduce your chances of a hangover that will help you recover faster and hopefully have you feeling ready to take on the next day!
Pace yourself
Some people have better alcohol tolerance than others and the type of alcohol you drink can also have an effect on the hangover outcome, but generally the more booze you drink, the more likely you are to have a hangover the next day. At the beginning of the night, go in with the mindset that you are going to drink responsibly and pace yourself (around 1 alcoholic drink every hour), alternating your alcoholic drinks with glasses of water to help keep you hydrated which will leave your stomach, head and wallet feeling better the next day!
Have a proper meal
Drinking alcohol on an empty stomach means you will absorb it more rapidly; make sure you have a proper meal either before or during your night out to reduce this effect (and to avoid the snacking/mindless calories that can often go hand in hand with drinking).
Drink milk before you go out
Having a glass of milk before you start drinking alcohol can also help to line your stomach and slow down the rate you absorb the alcohol. Perhaps do this before you go out, as asking for a glass of milk with your dinner may seem a little odd if you’re having a meal at a restaurant…
Drink lighter coloured alcoholic drinks
Darker drinks contain more congeners which are the chemicals that add flavour and colour and can leave you more likely to feel rough the next morning. Although it may only help reduce your chances of a hangover slightly, opt for paler coloured alcoholic drinks.
Have a good sleep
Once all is done and you’re back home, get into bed and have a good, decent sleep. The rest will help your body to recover so you won’t feel so lethargic when you wake up.
The morning after
Despite following the above advice, still feeling hungover the next morning? The best thing that you can do is to counter the effects of alcohol by rehydrating your body and drinking plenty of water. If you’re feeling queasy, eat something bland – such as plain crackers or toast – to help boost your blood sugar. Whatever you do, don’t try and ‘fix’ your hangover with another drink! This is a myth and will just defer your hangover to later.
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